Now that the Honeymoon is over....

[scottedb]

I went from a 2019 Tacoma to a 2021 ranger and really like the ranger’s motor and transmission compared to the Tacoma. However I have a chirping noise that sounds like a bearing rubbing between 20-60mph. I did my research here and it seems like it is likely the driveshaft bearing. Took it to my local Ford dealer and they couldn’t specify where the noise is coming from. Considering the truck has 3k miles on it and is already making noises is not the greatest feeling. But otherwise I really like the truck.

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[Mirage775]

So, I’ve owned my Ranger for more than two years now…

1) Hood alignment is fine - would have had my dealer re-align it if it wasn’t
2) Both rear doors close just right - would have had my dealer re-align them if they didn’t
3) Brake feel is fine - different than my car, different than my older Ranger - I adjust how I brake when driving my Passat vs my Ranger
4) My door seals are fine - no wind noise - likely because my doors close just right
5) Suspension had less rebound damping than previous trucks but more than my car - I upgraded to FOX Performance 2.0 when I levelled it
6) I came from a 5-spd manual to this transmission - it’s different - but I don’t have the abrupt shift at 3-4 - others had that issue and had the TSB performed

I bought a truck that drives like a truck, just as I expected it to. It has the fit and finish of a vehicle in its class and price range. By truck standards, the Ranger is pretty cheap to buy and delivers big in a lot of ways. Lots of tech, even in a stock XLT.

If it had any deficiencies, I’d be visiting my dealer. When I felt it needed some performance improvements, I took care of that.

Are all the panels aligned to pass the ball bearing test? Nope, but then, I can’t really tell and they look good to me. Does it glide along like a Mercedes S-Class? Nope. Does it have an interior that can get muddy and then clean up nice? Yep. Can it haul all kinds of stuff to all kinds of places? Yep. Did it surprise the pants off that guy who thought his Audi was all that? Yep - surprised me too! ?

Duke, I couldn't agree with you more! I'm tired of reading all these complaints from everyone. It's a truck, not a $70k Cadillac! I'm at almost 1100 miles on my '21 and everything is fine so far. The only issue I'm having is from my 5-Star tune with the trans staying in 4th gear too low at low RPM's, while deceleration, but I've contacted 5-Star about this issue. It definitely didn't do it before the tune.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Duke, I couldn't agree with you more! I'm tired of reading all these complaints from everyone. It's a truck, not a $70k Cadillac! I'm at almost 1100 miles on my '21 and everything is fine so far. The only issue I'm having is from my 5-Star tune with the trans staying in 4th gear too low at low RPM's, while deceleration, but I've contacted 5-Star about this issue. It definitely didn't do it before the tune.

Thanks Jason, I just can’t imagine what some of these folks must think of the first truck I drove - my dad’s old ‘69 Fargo with a 3-spd manual column shift - I swear that clutch pedal had a foot of play and two feet of travel. It looked like a truck, drove like a truck, the ass-end bounced around like a truck, it squeaked and rattled like a truck, hell, it even smelled like a truck.

Man, I think I just might have been the happiest teenager around. ?

 

[Mirage775]

Thanks Jason, I just can’t imagine what some of these folks must think of the first truck I drove - my dad’s old ‘69 Fargo with a 3-spd manual column shift - I swear that clutch pedal had a foot of play and two feet of travel. It looked like a truck, drove like a truck, the ass-end bounced around like a truck, it squeaked and rattled like a truck, hell, it even smelled like a truck.

Man, I think I just might have been the happiest teenager around. ?

My 1st truck was in '91 or '92 and was a '78 Chevy Scottsdale, looked just like this one, cept had Rally wheels and was how trucks were supposed to be I love the Ranger, but it's gotten so civilized, it's become silly, LOL!

 

[Cmar]

If you did any research, you know you bought a 10 year old truck designed in Australia. Sure, they did some tweaking for the US market. But facts is facts - it's a truck and would be much happier in the outback.

Exactly true, the design parameters were it had to carry 1,000Kg, it had to tow 3,500Kg, it had to pass an ANCAP / EURONCAP series of crash tests with 5 stars (to capture the huge mining market here) it had to have a good wading depth, reasonable service intervals, a reliable powertrain, comfortably hold 5 adults, have a level of in-car sophistication to rival an SUV, be comfortable and easy to drive, and look good doing it.

All whilst using / reusing as many components from the Ford global components bin as possible.

So the only really new bits were the body, trim, and chassis design. Most of the rest came from existing Ford models from across the world.

It was designed to not fall apart on our shocking dirt roads here, not overheat in our summers, but still work OK in our few alpine cold areas and southern states in winter. If it doesn't break here it probably won't break.

I think by and large it has achieved all those requirements and more, it has sold well since day one despite commanding a price premium in the market, and has sold well globally as well.
It still continues to sell well despite only a couple of minor revisions since release.

 

[grizzly]

So we've had our Ranger XLT 4 X 4 now for a couple months and now that the novelty has worn off, below are a few of the issues I have discovered that I'm unhappy with.

1) Hood alignment is pathetic. Mostly where it meets the fenders and grill/headlights.
2) Both rear doors appear they close too much? Wish they could be adjusted outward a few MM.
3) Brake pedal is mush. I obviously test drove the truck and knew what I was getting into but its getting on my nerves.
4) Wind noise from drivers side rear door.
5) Bouncy ride. Makes my wife seasick.
6) Transmission shifting abrupt/Harsh. I hoped the adaptive logic thing would have helped after 1000 miles of gentle driving.

Overall my opinion is Ford had the chance to build a world class amazing truck but just missed it. If I had to do again I probably would have gone new Frontier or Tacoma.

BTW, I already forscanned the auto start/stop cause I couldnt stand that. I read about the ABS bleed that some have done for the mushy brake pedal but not sure I want to go down that path.

Craig

You should definately trade it in and get a Ridgeline. You will be much happier, maybe.

 

[TJ1]

I love my 2019 Magnetic XLT. 30,000 miles and no glitches. Tom J

 

[Clump]

My Tremor hood was pretty bad on the passenger side. I don't recall the '19 having any fit issues.

I followed this thread to adjust it - https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/hood-alignment.3503/

It's moved to the extent the bolts allow and could use a bit more. Thankfully my OCD is satisfied and yes, it took 5 minutes.

 

[umop3pisdn]

Had my 04/16 build PX2 XLS since I got it brand new 01/06/2016:
- Took it back cos they didn't wire up brake/tray lights on XLT sports bar
- Wheel speed and crank angle sensors replaced because "hill start assist unavailable" whilst in traffic on flat ground (warranty) which made zero sense but whatever
- R/F speaker failed 2020 (I don't listen to my music quietly) so changed to Alpine Type R splits

Everything else that I've changed has been an upgrade of my own doing. No windnoise (until roof platform and recovery gear), door weatherseals are fine (cept where they split a couple inches where they closed around the mounts for Rhino HD crossbars til I got rid of them)

@RANGER PRIDE - go look at the tops of the rear doors on a Model X... Tesla alignment to a tee! Not bad vehicles but the finish is unfinished...
For urs tho, if the front panels sits out a touch at the rear edge and so on, that's actually something that reduces windnoise between vertical panel gaps.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

I had some of those issues

#1 - loosened the fender bolts and pulled fender out and re tightened

#3 - did the forscan ABS purge procedure, firmed the pedal up a bit, did it a while ago no issues

#4 - i get some wind noise from the back doors if I don't close them hard enough, have seen some postings about deformed or incorrectly seated window gaskets worth a search.

#5 - i installed new rear shocks took away most of it but i would not put the fox shocks back on the rear if i had to do it again, would do Bilstein's all around. Foxes are a bit much for my preference after having them on for 27K miles

#6 - you can try pulling the battery cable and resetting everything I've had to do that when its starts acting funny sometimes

Good luck with the truck

 

[20 red lariat ranger]

I have a 2020 lariat and I hope I’m not the only one but my tailgate is higher than my bed. Loading is fine but unloading is a bear. I have a thin sheet of rubber that is a little longer than the bed and that helps. Is there a permanent fix out there? Thanks

 

[Utah Ranger]

Regarding the bouncy ride...just bite the bullet and replace the suspension. I did it and it made a world of difference in my Ranger. Felt like I was driving a boat on land before and now it feels amazing.

 

[3Wheelin]

Craigmri... I'm sorry to hear that you're having those problems. Bough my 2021 lariat tremor in September...I have had none of those problems. I have 3500 miles on the truck with one road trip and I love the way this drives and handles.i went 500 miles to test drive the new Nissan and I thought it was terrible. I drove there thinking I was coming home with the Nissan but it didn't happen as the truck was way too noisy on the highway and didn't meet any of my expectations... My Ranger is great on the highway. That might be because of the shocks that come with the tremor..no bouncy feeling. I really hope that you can get the bugs worked out because this is a terrific little truck...

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